Preliminary hearing held for Haug on new charges

HARTINGTON — Kevin Haug was in Cedar County Court Jan. 15 facing more legal woes.

Haug, 44, has been working his way through District Court the past several months on several felony charges, including two attempted murder charges.

He stands accused of attempting to kill James Olson with a knife. He is also accused of attempting to kill Cedar County deputies when he rammed a vehicle into a patrol car in an attempt to escape from them.

Wednesday he made an appearance in Cedar County Court on charges that he twice violated a protection order filed against him.

Cedar County Attorney Nicholas Matney filed two Class II Misdemeanor charges against Haug on Dec. 31.

Matney’s court filing claims Haug violated a protection order filed against him by attempting to contact Rhea Haug Sept. 5 and again Nov. 4.

Haug was transported to Wednesday’s County Court arraignment hearing from his Madison County jail cell. He appeared without an attorney to hear the charges.

Judge Douglas Luebe appointed Norfolk attorney Frederick Bartell as Haug’s court-appointed attorney in the matter.

Bartell is also representing Haug in the District court proceedings.

The judge then entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Haug and set the pre-trial hearing for Feb. 12, at 11 a.m.

Judge Luebbe set Haug’s bond at $20,000 in the matter and ordered that he have no contact with the alleged victim and not use alcohol or any illegal substances.

If convicted of the charges, Judge Luebbe said Haug could face a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.